The proposal to build a trade association that would represent Idaho’s small and medium companies involved in technology and innovation took another step forward last Friday at the group’s first meeting of its advisory group.

Idaho’s tech industry has long needed a voice especially in the state legislature. But this group dubbed — the Idaho Innovation Alliance — has decided it doesn’t want to focus solely on tech companies. Instead it’s going after companies that are innovative and growing.

It’s a good strategy. Trying to define a technology company is a difficult task, but defining a growing company is much easier.

MWI Veterinary Supply is a good example. The Meridian-based company wouldn’t meet the definition of a tech company, but it’s growing. In a recent story I did, MWI reported more than $700 million in sales this year and expects more than $800 million next year.

Defining its membership is the first task and for the most part pretty simple, but the next steps are going to be the most difficult for the Idaho Innovation Alliance.

It’s all going to come down to money and membership.

The group thinks it needs about $50,000 in start-up funding. A key part of that initial funding would likely come from sponsorships from larger companies. The group expects to ask for sponsorships in the range of $10,000 to $50,000 a year with a two-year commitment.

For the smaller companies membership fees would be based on revenue and ould likely range from $200 to $1,000 a year.

Asking for sponsorships raises some interesting issues. For the group to be successful it needs to focus on the needs of small and medium companies, but it will likely turn to the larger companies like Micron and Hewlett Packard to seek sponsorships.

At Friday’s meeting there was a lot of discussion about what a sponsor would get for its money and fortunately one thing that everyone seemed to agree on was that a sponsorship shouldn’t be a free pass for large company to influence the direction of the organization.

The selling point for sponsors will be how the group could potentially improve the economy, which would benefit the larger companies.

I’m hopeful that the group can get off the ground, but there are still some hurdles.

I’m sure they will probably face opposition from other business-focused groups like the various chambers of commerce and the Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry or IACI, that may fear that they will try to steal members. Lets just hope those groups don’t take that tact and realize that everyone is seeking the same goal: Healthy businesses and a strong economy.

The key to the group’s success will be its sales pitch and more importantly delivering on that pitch.

In my mind the sales pitch is simple. If you’re a small and medium business joining the group should give you the resources to make your business more successful.

For some members that will mean more influence with state leaders. For others it may mean a place to go to find out how to access resources to improve your business and for others it may mean just having the camaraderie with other business owners where you can learn from their experiences.

Idaho TechConnect is helping get this group started and if you’re interested in participating and helping I’m sure Rick Ritter at TechConnect will be happy to sign you up. Give him a call at (208) 562-3700 or send him an E-mail.